Cops: Man tries to shoot ex-coworker at Livonia store

An ex-employee of a Livonia meat market has been charged with trying to shoot one of the store's workers, police said Wednesday.

Michael Shemon has been formally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a stun gun, felony firearm possession and being a habitual offender, officials said. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison for the assault charge and up to five years for the felony firearm possession charge.

A judge ordered Shemon held on a $750,000 bond and scheduled his next court appearance for Thursday.

Police said officers were called at about 1:20 p.m. April 16 to the Texas Choice Meats Company, at 27509 Schoolcraft near Inkster Road, because there was an ex-employee with a gun inside the store.

A witness told the officers a man who had been fired earlier in the day returned and pointed a handgun at him during an argument and then fled into the parking lot, according to officials.

The witness retreated into the store and asked co-workers to call 911.

Police surrounded the store and found the suspect in a parking lot adjacent to the business.

Officials said as they tried to approach the man, he ran into the rear door of a neighboring business. He ran through that business and through its front door where police arrested him without incident, they said.

The man, later identified as Shemon, told officers he pulled a handgun out of his coat pocket during an argument with his ex-coworker, racked the slide, pointed at him and said he was going to kill him, according to authorities.

Police said he told investigators he pulled the trigger but the gun jammed and his target and the store's other employees were able to flee.

Officials also released video footage captured by the store's surveillance system.